An Interim AEW Women’s World Champion will be crowned at All Out, plus WWE crowns their new Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca Belair signs with a talent agency, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Interim AEW Women’s World Champion To Be Crowned At All Out, Thunder Rosa Injured
An interim AEW Women’s Champion will be crowned at AEW All Out this weekend.
Last week on Dynamite, AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa shared some unfortunate news. In speaking backstage, Rosa announced that she must step away from the ring. Due to an ongoing injury, Thunder Rosa will not be medically cleared to compete at All Out. As a result, a fatal-four-way match will determine an interim champion. Jamie Hayter, Toni Storm, Britt Baker, and Hikaru Shida will now compete to become the interim champion at All Out.
Thunder Rosa was originally slated to defend her AEW Women’s Championship against Toni Storm at the September 4th pay-per-view. Unfortunately, a nagging back injury prevented that.
In a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, Thunder Rosa clarified her injury status. Correspondingly, she explained that she had been dealing with a back injury for some time, which may have her out of the ring for a few months.
“I’m not the best physically right now, I’m not going to lie,” Thunder Rosa admitted. “I was in a lot of pain yesterday and one of the reasons I called — thank you for having me — a lot has been happening the past couple weeks and unfortunately, I’m going to be out of commission. I don’t know for how long, [but] for a couple months, probably.”
Rosa continued on to clarify her injury. “I have a problem with my back. And Tommy can [attest to this], back problems are not easy. Some days it’s very good, some days they’re not. Yesterday was not a good day. It was not a good day and I was in a lot of pain.”
BREAKING NEWS: #AEW Women's World Champion Thunder Rosa announces that she is injured and cannot defend the championship.
Tune in NOW to #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS pic.twitter.com/fxX6z7yW0b
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 25, 2022
With Thunder Rosa sidelined, AEW looks to preview with the upcoming Interim Championship match with a tag team match this week. Nevertheless, Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter will square off with Toni Storm and Hikaru Shida on Dynamite.
RELATED: Thunder Rosa Says She’s Dealing With A Legit Back Injury, Shoots Down Backstage Heat Rumors
New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Crowned
WWE officially crowned their brand new Women’s Tag Team Champions this week.
Over the last few weeks, WWE ran a tournament to determine their next pair of Women’s Tag Team Champions. After some injuries and bracket realignment, the finals for the fierce tournament finally concluded last night on RAW.
Dakota Kai and IYO SKY punched their ticket to the finals last week, defeating Alexa Bliss and Asuka in an intense semi-finals matchup. Last Friday on Smackdown, a “Last Chance” Fatal 4-Way match occurred to determine a semi-finals substitute. Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin sustained an injury following her team’s opening round victory the week prior. As a result, Toxic Attraction was forced to give up their spots in the tournament. The winner of the “Last Chance” bout would then go on to compete against Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah on the same night. Officially, the four teams competing in the “Second Chance” match were Dana Brooke & Tamina, Shotzi & Xia Li, Nikki A.S.H. & Doudrop, and Natalya & Sonya Deville.
Ultimately, Sonya Deville captured the pinfall on Nikki A.S.H. to score the victory for herself and Natalya. Later on in the episode, Deville and Natalya competed in the semi-finals against Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah. Although a valiant effort, the “last chance” hope wasn’t enough. Rodriguez and Aliyah would appear victorious, to earn a spot in the finals.
On Monday Night RAW, a surprise outcome emerged in the finals of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Tournament. Bayley would accompany Dakota Kai and IYO SKY as the finals went underway. After some outside interference, Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka would storm to the ring, forcing Bayley to flee. As Aliyah tagged in the matchup, she shocked Dakota Kai with a roll-up pin for the victory.
Therefore, Raquel Gonzalez and Aliyah are the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
A recap of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Final can be read below, courtesy of our live coverage page:
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Final: Dakota Kai and IYO SKY (with Bayley) vs. Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah
SKY gains an early advantage. Rodriguez and Aliyah gain the upper hand. Kai and SKY showcase their chemistry. Kai slams Aliyah into the steps and blast Rodriguez with a kick. SKY continues to control the action by grounding Rodriguez. The powerhouse rallies by throwing SKY into Kai. She headbutts SKY and takes the fight to both of her opponents. SKY gets a two count on Rodriguez. SKY drills Rodriguez with a series of strikes. Bayley helps SKY escape a powerbomb, and SKY capitalizes by stomping on the powerhouse. Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka run to the ring, and they chase Bayley away. Aliyah tags in and pins Kai for the win.
Winners and new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah
However, Dakota Kai was not the legal competitor for her team. Will WWE reverse the decision?
WrestleZone will keep you updated as more details become available.
RELATED: WWE RAW Results (8/29): Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament Finals, Kurt Angle Appears, More
Bianca Belair Signs With WME Talent Agency
RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair has signed with the long-EST running talent agency.
Bianca Belair has made major gains in the world of professional wrestling, but now she looks to pursue outside projects as well. As announced by Variety, Belair recently signed with the WME talent agency for representation in all areas. Accordingly, Belair will work to expand her professional business in acting, marketing, podcasting and more.
WME eventually became the longest-running talent agency after being founded in 1898. In addition, the agency provides its partners and clients with global access and insights into all areas of sports and entertainment. Facets include books, motion picture, culinary, digital, music, speakers, sports, television, and more. Moreover, WME obtained IMG in 2014–the worldwide frontrunner in sports, events, media and fashion, officially forming Endeavor.
WWE Star Bianca Belair Signs With WME (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/f5ytlTOGgI
— Variety (@Variety) August 25, 2022
READ MORE: Bianca Belair Signs With WME Talent Agency
INTERVIEWS
Former Divas Champion AJ Lee chatted with MMA Uncaged to discuss being an executive producer for WOW Women of Wrestling, the significance of having women be the main attraction, CM Punk, and more.
WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix appeared on Busted Open talk about her appearance on Monday Night Raw last week, her continued admiration of today’s women’s division and her husband Edge, Bayley, and more.
IMPACT Knockout Gisele Shaw spoke with SEScoops to discuss why now was the right year for her to sign the company, her thoughts on Killer Kelly joining the Knockouts Division, her ring-gear inspirations, and more.
Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY appeared on WWE’s After The Bell to discuss their returns to WWE and debuts at SummerSlam, how they spent their time away and the goals they’ve set for their new team.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
SHINE Wrestling – SHINE 74: September 18th
September 18th – #SHINE74
Whos next??? ????#WomensWrestling pic.twitter.com/iby9TX2WyW— IVELISSE?????LaSicaria#Bow2None (@RealIvelisse) August 23, 2022
Capital Championship Wrestling: Venom – September 17th
Come out September 17th and see the LIVE action! Also stay tuned for a big announcement! #CCW #Venom
Doors open at 5 PM
Belltime 6 PM pic.twitter.com/RiRe05uOcp— Capital Championship Wrestling (@CCWAction) August 19, 2022
